The problem with Reddit

Reddit is nice. You can organize discussions into topics, and registration is free and not curated (unlike neogaf). There is one little thing, however, that threatens to undermine it all: the downvote-button.

The downvote-button promotes mob-mentality, discourages independent thought, discourages free speech, and promotes bullying and ganging-up.

It's a spiral, whether it's up or down. By default, the comments with the most upvotes land at the top of a discussion, while the comments with the most downvotes are at the bottom. This allows the most popular comments to be even more successful, while it buries the unpopular ones. This is a great disservice to the expansion of the mind, which should be the ultimate goal of people.

It doesn't matter whether you're wrong or right, if your comment is unpopular, it is punished, and that's a damn shame. This is typical human behavior, but that doesn't excuse it. Galileo was metaphorically downvoted during his time, and he was correct in his assertions. That was over 300 years ago. Have we not evolved much during that time? That is pathetic.

When we see a comment that has been downvoted to oblivion, it is kind of human nature to downvote it ourselves, as if we're picking on a kid that has been bullied, whether we know why or not. We like to kick someone that is already down, so that we feel better about ourselves. This is disgusting behavior and we need to stop it right away.

As good as the internet is, Reddit's downvote-button threatens to undermine everything great about it. It is time for the upvote and downvote-buttons to go away. Let us rejoice in independent thought and go away from mob-mentality. We can have peace without homogeneity.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

White Japanese Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad (Controller) Review HSS-0137

Image
As a recently new Sega Saturn owner, I knew I had to get the Sega Saturn 3D Control Pad because it was the definitive controller for playing Nights Into Dreams. I decided to purchase the more aesthetically-pleasing Japanese version. Upon first inspection, it is noticeably big - bigger than it should be. Sega was probably going for form over function here, because the round shape does look like a mini-spaceship or UFO, which goes with their theme of space with the Saturn itself, but it is not the most ergonomically comfortable controller out there. For example, when playing six-button fighting-games, it is difficult to hold the controller in the left hand and 'piano' the buttons with the right. The d-pad is a little different from the American Model 1 and Japanese Model 2 controllers'. It feels a little stiffer. Of the three controllers I have tried, it has my least favorite d-pad. On the plus-side, however, it features the best start-button of the three.
Read more

"Retrotek SCART to Component Converter" Review (SCBV1P3)

Image
I do not like spreading negativity out there, but I needed to warn people about this device. I bought this for 80 dollars on ebay; I'm not gonna link from whom, because he or she does not deserve more sales of this awful device. When it works, it works, albeit with flaws. The image produced is sharp, as a component-video signal should be, and the colors are accurate, except that there is a green tint to the entire picture. I've read that one has to open these things up and adjust the 'pots' inside (an electrical term) with a screwdriver. I never really tried doing that or minded the green tint too much, because it's very subtle. What I did mind a lot, was the fact that sometimes, it won't work, and I'll only get audio. This is a big problem. I wouldn't mind the colors being a little off, or there being some 'noise' in the video-signal, but when the success-rate of the thing actually working is 50%, it's a deal-breaker. I paid 80 dolla
Read more

Japanese Model 2 Sega Saturn Controller Review HSS-0101

Image
Recently, I bought a Model 2 American Sega Saturn, but it came with a Model 1 controller. It was pretty good, but I liked the look of the Model 2 Japanese controller, and the d-pad seemed more comfortable. After ordering one on ebay, and opening the package I later received, I was taken aback at how 'creamy' the controller looked. It didn't look like it had changed color, like old NESes, but it didn't look as white as I had imagined. Even the photo above looks whiter than it actually is. The d-pad is better than the Model 1's, but not by too much. The face-buttons feel the same, but the Start-button is a big improvement. The biggest improvement comes in the form of the shoulder-buttons. I don't think the actual internal switches have changed, but now you don't have to press the buttons on the rear of its plastic-shell to get them to actuate. In general, they feel and sound like mouse-buttons. You won't want to use them in action-games, but f
Read more